It takes finesse. Dunrite Leatherworks makes an unforgettable studded belt

This belt pays tribute to the studded belt, and is harking back to what Edward Bohlin would have performed, which via a number of Google searches you’ll see is wonderful stuff. [He was designing buckles and belts] for anybody who was anybody in Hollywood within the ’20s. I’m not there but, however how he began was identical to me: He was simply making himself actually fancy stuff. He went to a rodeo sooner or later, and one of many greatest stars within the nation on the time, Tom Combine, was there, and he was like, “These boots. The place’d you get these boots?” And [Bohlin] was like, “I made these.” Lengthy story brief, he obtained Bohlin to maneuver to Hollywood. His firm speaks for itself. However I needed to do one thing like that, the place it may simply be proper up there subsequent to certainly one of Edward Bohlin’s items.

I do really feel actually pleased with this belt. It’s one thing that I had been desirous to do for a very long time. It’s totally hand-tooled, hand-painted, hand-dyed. The jewels are previous inventory classic jewels, [which] means these jewels had been made within the ’60s, and so they’re not made anymore, so that they’re actually laborious to search out. Lots of people attempt to message me and ask me the place I get these bits. Like, I’m not going to let you know! That’s a part of the key ingredient.

Guillermo Cuevas’ tribute to the studded belt.

Since I used to be a child, I’ve been round western, Mexican boots and belts. Each time we’d go to Mexico, my mother would purchase me new gear and new boots. After which, as a youngster, I went to Placita Olvera, a number of blocks away from me right here. Everybody sells leather-based items there, however there’s one store there specifically, Murillo Leather-based, who I used to go to as a center schooler via highschool, and simply discuss his ear off. He was sort sufficient to let me stand there in entrance of his counter for hours simply speaking to him, asking questions. Ultimately I stated to him, “I’d prefer to try to study.” And he was so useful. He stated, “I’ve leather-based scraps again there I may give you.” He set me up with little issues to get me going.

Quick-forward, I used to be simply doing it for enjoyable. I used to be doing it with a pal from highschool, his dad had some instruments, as a result of he’s an ironworker. Ultimately, my buddy wasn’t too into it, and he was like, simply take these instruments with you. So I took them, and this complete time, I used to be simply making stuff for myself, posting little issues right here and there on my Instagram, after which little by little, mates could be like, I would like one thing for me. I desire a belt. I desire a pockets. And finally, I made one thing for the proper pal, [who was] like, “You’ve obtained to promote these.” I used to be like, “Who’s going to need to pay for that sort of work?” It takes ceaselessly. He stated, “You simply make enterprise playing cards, and I hope you move them out.”

I used to be about to stop my retail job. I wanted one thing new. I wanted to strive one thing else. I knew I used to be going to do leather-based items, and it simply so occurred that I got here to Area Metropolis Classic. I knew the house owners from the rockabilly scene. And I used to be telling him the entire spiel, and he stated, “Deliver every little thing and are available work right here.” Fortunately, issues have been going good, and I’ve been capable of make some fairly vital items for some fairly cool individuals. My massive first one was Leon Bridges — I’ve performed an entire bunch of belts for him. After which, if you recognize Mexican music, there’s Carin León. He’s getting fairly massive. I did one for Trish Toledo. I did a number of for Thee Sacred Souls, that are all over the place proper now. I had an opportunity to make a {custom} bracelet for Timothée Chalamet. I even not too long ago had Glen Powell in certainly one of my belts within the film “Twisters.” It simply feels good.

It took an entire mess of trial and error, seeing what labored for me when it comes to outlining every little thing, however then a number of years in the past, I felt like somewhat swap went on. I really like previous cartoons, and I used to be watching a documentary on Fleischer Studios who did Popeye and Betty Boop, and one of many cartoonists was saying, no matter you do, it doesn’t matter what it’s, it’s gotta have finesse. So then I used to be like, “Hey, sure it does!” That simply sort of helped nudge me additional. All it is advisable to do is put somewhat bit extra, and it’s going to be so a lot better, and persons are going to note it extra.

These studded belts return to the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s, ’50s, and have been performed ever since by numerous individuals. However I actually prefer to experiment. Most individuals simply do what was performed at a sure interval, add a number of colours, however that’s actually the place it ends. I like so as to add loopy colours, all types of stones. I really like custom-making one thing for somebody, and I don’t love having 12 of the identical factor. You’ll by no means come to my store and depart with one thing straight away. I’ve my wait checklist. I’ve my clients which can be fortunately ready.

Going again to me in highschool, I used to be obsessive about my buddy Mando’s belts [at Murillo Leather]. I needed one with my first title, some with my final title. I needed one in black, one in brown, one in burgundy. I had one which stated “Dodgers” in blue. I simply needed every little thing. [A belt] simply secures all of it collectively, plainly put. That’s what lots of people overlook. They assume individuals don’t discover their plastic peeling belts that basically don’t do their job. These are actual leather-based belts which can be powerful, that you need to use. They’re going to final.

—As advised to Elisa Wouk Almino

Dunrite Leatherworks is a made-to-order leather-based items firm based mostly in Downtown Los Angeles, crafting bespoke items that seamlessly mix conventional craftsmanship with modern type. With a eager eye for element and a dedication to high quality, Dunrite creates distinctive leather-based items that inform a narrative of talent, dedication and the colourful spirit of L.A.